Low-pH Hard Surface Cleaning Composition for Rapid Viricidal Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for viricidal compositions that can effectively inactivate small, non-enveloped viruses like poliovirus and norovirus on hard surfaces, while being stable, fast-acting, and easy to apply, as existing disinfectants face challenges with shelf stability, viricidal resistance, and application difficulties.

Innovation Solution

The compositions comprise a high ratio of solvent to anionic surfactant, with a pH of less than 3.5, containing anionic sulfonated or sulfated surfactants, and can be applied as concentrates or ready-to-use solutions, providing at least a 3-log reduction of viruses in 1 minute or less.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional disinfectants are used to inactivate viruses, then they can provide some level of viral inactivation, but they fail to effectively inactivate small non-enveloped viruses like poliovirus and norovirus due to viral resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviricidal activityVSAvoidviral resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfectant by using a low pH aqueous solution (pH 2-4) combined with specific surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric) to overcome viral resistance. This parameter change enables effective inactivation of small non-enveloped viruses that are resistant to conventional disinfectants, while maintaining stability and broad-spectrum activity against enveloped viruses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If strong viricidal agents are used to achieve rapid virus inactivation, then viral kill rates improve, but shelf stability and safety of the composition deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus inactivation speedVSAvoidshelf stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves rapid virus inactivation (3-log reduction in 1 minute or less) by optimizing the pH parameter to 2-4 and selecting appropriate surfactant types and concentrations. This parameter optimization provides both fast-acting viricidal activity and improved shelf stability, eliminating the need for harsh unstable agents while maintaining safety and efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite formulations combining pH-adjusted aqueous solutions with multiple surfactant types (anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric) to achieve synergistic effects. This composite approach provides rapid virus inactivation while maintaining composition stability and safety, as the combined components work together to enhance viricidal activity without requiring extreme conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If broad-spectrum viricidal activity is achieved against all virus types, then the composition can inactivate both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, but the number of suitable compositions is limited and development is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroad antiviral spectrumVSAvoidcomposition development difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal disinfectant formulation with pH 2-4 and various surfactant options that can inactivate all three viral subgroups (small non-enveloped, large non-enveloped, and enveloped viruses). This multi-functional composition broadens the antiviral spectrum while simplifying development by providing a single effective platform that works across all virus types without requiring separate formulations for different viral targets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If existing disinfectants are applied to hard surfaces, then they can treat surfaces, but they struggle to remove soil and organic matter effectively while maintaining viricidal activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviricidal efficacyVSAvoidsoil and organic matter interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite formulations combining pH-adjusted aqueous solutions with multiple surfactant types that work synergistically to both remove soil and organic matter from hard surfaces and maintain effective viricidal activity. The surfactants provide cleaning action while the low pH environment preserves virus inactivation capability, allowing simultaneous soil removal and viral inactivation without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compositions demonstrate strong kill rates against poliovirus and norovirus, offering rapid inactivation and effective soil removal, with improved stability and ease of application.

Implementation Method 1

containing anionic sulfonated or sulfated surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

with a pH of less than 3.5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid denaturation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250255297A1Hard surface cleaning solution with rapid viricidal activity

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

The invention relates to fast-acting viricidal compositions and methods of using the same, wherein the compositions are capable of removing soil and effectively inactivating a wide variety of viral pathogens, particularly small, non-enveloped viruses such as poliovirus and norovirus. The compositions are especially useful on hard surfaces, and can easily be applied to a service to provide rapid viricidal efficacy.